Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-04-15
the fire from being extinguisbed IS

The Guebres have many peculiar
doctrines and customs. One of these
is the use of yellow in their garb; an
other concerns the theory of immor-
tally. They maintain that there are
two principles. the good and the evil,
which they call Oromusdao and Ahri-
masdao. The ancient Greeks corrupt
ed these names to Ormusd and Ahriman.
These two principles, or influences,
fight for the mastery through the ages,
seeking to win possession of the soul
of man.
When Guebre dies at Teheran, his
corpse is taken to the lonely cemetery
five miles south of the city, situated on
a lone rocky eminence that overlooks
the vast plains quivering with mirage.
1t resembles a white watch-tower, be-
ing built in the shape of round hill
fort. 1t is white. and has no apparent
way of entrance. The walls are built
of cargel, or mud smeared with plaster
that preserves it from the weather
Winding slowly over the plain and up the
barren height, the procession of mourn
ers, outcasts in land they once ruled,
bear the dead to his last resting-place.
A hole is made in the wall of the Gem
etery, through which the corpse is
taken to its grave.
Strange to say, the grave is not dug
in the earth. The surface of the
ground within this unroofed inclosure
is divided by raised lines of brick into
numerous oblong cells of uniform size,
much like the parterres of garden.
The corpse is laid in one of these,
dressed. and left there exposed to the
elements. Vultures and buzzards
hover over the cemetery in flocks; they
know full well what is taking place in
the desolate spot. Then the mourners
retire to little distance up the hill
side to watch the birds of prey swoop
down to devour the dead. They have
a reason for thus keenly observing, for
they believe that the destiny of the de-
parted soul is revealed by the acts of
the birds. If they devour the right
eye first, the soul is in Heaven; but if
the left eye is first attacked. then the
mourners go away sorrowful, for sad
is the doom of their departed friend.
But the Guebres have other and more
cheerful customs than this. Their new
year is called the No ROOF, or New
Day. 1t comes at the time when the
sun CIOSscS lut liilt III hUIcn. HtlT
traditions state that this festival was
ordained by their great legendary King
Shah Iemsheed. Although most of the
Persians are now Mohammedans. yet
they all accept the period for the com
mencement of the new year established
in their country long ages before the
camel-driver of the desert sent his
armies to force them to his creed; and
thus, at the No ROOF, Guebres and Mus
sulmen alike rejoice. The latter pre-
tend that they celebrate the occasion
because it is the birth anniversary of
their Prophet, but this is a mere tiimsy
excuse, concocted in order to show
their disdain for the Guebres. But in
hundred ways the Persians show that
in their celebration of this annual fes-
tival they are following the traditions
of their iire-worshiping ancestors.
Nowhere is the new year celebrated
with more mysticism and pomp and
universal rejoicing than in Persia. For
weeks before it arrives the people begin
their preparations for the occasion.
Every one seeks to raise money to pur-
chase the new suit of clothes he is
expected to wear at the time, and the
confectionery and provisions for the
ten days of feasting, as during that
period the shops are mostly closed.
So important is it to be properly pre-
pared for the No ROOF, that articles of
price that are family heirlooms are
often sacrificed in order to provide the
needed money. When the new moon
of that month appears, devout Persians
look to the east, then, covering the
fon hnt al Y. l..
turned until, on Withdrawing the hands,
the cleaning sickle of the new moon is
seen directly in front. Perhaps our
superstition about discovering the new
moon over the right shoulder is sug-
gested bv this Persian custom. The
eve before No ROOF is also the occasion
for curious ceremony, evidently sug
gested by the mystical meaning the
Guebres attach to fire and light The
common people leap over heaps of
burning brushwood laid IN rows. 1t is
possible the heathenish custom of
passing children through the fire.
may be IA form of this ceremony.
As the hour approaches for the sun
to cross the line, the Shah assemblies in
the great audience-chamber of the
palace, with the high spiritual and
temporal dignitaries of the Kingdom.
Money is distributed to all for good
luck on the commencement of the new
year. At the moment the astrologers
announce the No ROOF. the Shah
gravely exclaims, "Mambarek bashedl"
MAY it be propitious to youl" A
sacred song of rejoicing is then sung
by mollah, or priest; after this each
.courtier, according to his rank, offers
his obeisance to the Shah and receives
from the royal hand a presents. Il.
W. Benjamin, IN YOUTHS Companion.